Board votes to observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday for St. Clair County employees
St. Clair County joined ranks with hundreds of counties, cities and states across the U.S. that will observe Juneteenth as an annual holiday.
At a meeting Monday, the board members voted to approve a resolution proclaiming June 19 as “Juneteenth Independence Day” as a paid holiday for all county employees.
Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of Black slaves in 1865, following President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment.
County Board Chairman Mark Kern gave a board proclamation to Vice-Chairman Lonnie Mosley commemorating the celebration. Mosley presented it during a Juneteenth celebration at East St. Louis City Hall.
St. Clair County joins both St. Louis City and County in observing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for its employees.
Earlier this month, both St. Louis City Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page announced both governments would observe the annual holiday.
In a letter sent to county employers, Page said the county was embracing and celebrating the diversity of its community.